Hoddle: David Luiz plays like an eight year old

The Brazilian defender was the subject of a scathing attack by the ex-England coach after his performance in PSG's loss to Barcelona

16.04.2015 10:58:07

Former England coach Glenn Hoddle has slammed David Luiz after his display in Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, likening the Brazilian to “an eight-year-old who hasn’t been coached.”
The centre-back came on as a first-half substitute for injured compatriot Thiago Silva with his side already trailing 1-0, but was twice nutmegged by Luis Suarez’s as the Uruguayan netted two to put Barca 3-0 up late in the game.
And Hoddle, working as a pundit for Sky Sports in the UK, claimed the €50 million signing from Chelsea should have done much better regardless of the fact he was not fully fit going into the game.
“Even if you’re not 100 per cent fit you can’t show that lack of intent,” said the 57-year-old.
“He is the last man on the pitch when Suarez picks up the ball and starts running at him. He realises he is the last man and the very last thing you should do when you’re the last man is jump in. You bide time for your team to get around you.
“Instead he does what an eight-year-old who hasn’t been coached does: he tries to win it by putting both of his feet together. But when he does that he can’t move anywhere. Suarez nutmegs him again.”
The 27-year-old was PSG’s hero in the previous round, heading the extra-time equaliser which saw them qualify for the quarter-finals at Chelsea’s expense.
But his form defensively has been questioned on many occasions, and Hoddle added that he has never been convinced by David Luiz.
“For me he is a liability at the back, and he always has been. You have to find a place for him in midfield or even at right-back,” he continued.
“He’s a footballer who likes to play in the playground when there is no shape to the game. He is a talent but that’s not what top football is about.”
Blanc: David Luiz wasn’t 100% fit I had to nutmeg Luiz - Suarez Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Barcelona